Would you like to cycle part of the Giro d’Italia 2014 route for fun and support Oxfam Ireland in the process?

One4all is calling on women all over Ireland to get on their bikes on Saturday 10th May for the One4all Women on Wheels Giro Cycle with Oxfam – Ireland’s first female only cycle for charity - which runs along the route of the final leg of the official Giro d’Italia 2014.

The 22km fun cycle in aid of Oxfam Ireland takes place on a section of the Stage 3 route – a loop from Dublin’s, Merrion Square to Bull Island, Clontarf and back – the day before the world’s greatest cyclists race the route from Armagh to Merrion Square on Sunday 11th May.

The unique Women’s cycle is not a race, but is for all levels of fitness with the pace being set at a manageable 17km per hour and all participants cycling together in one big peloton.

The cycle starts at 8.30am from Merrion Square Dublin and runs out along the north Dublin Coast to Bull Island before looping back along the coast to return to Merrion Square, where the Irish Cycling Show, a free public event, will be taking place all weekend.

According to Michael Dawson, CEO, Gift Voucher Shop, “It is wonderful for us to be involved in such a high profile cycling event by supporting the first ever female only charity cycle in Ireland and bringing some fun to proceedings.

“We’ve seen large numbers of females taking up the Bikes4work scheme, especially over the past two years and we’re hoping that this trend will help drive registrations in the coming weeks. We’ve already received great support from Irish women in business and we’re looking forward to a successful event and raising much-needed funds for Oxfam in the process.”

With Ireland hosting the “Big Start” for the Giro d’Italia this year with three days of pre-race celebrations in Belfast before racing from Armagh to Dublin on Sunday 11th May, the One4all Women on Wheels Giro cycle represents the perfect opportunity for women to be part of the celebrations.

The cycle which begins at 8.30am will take approximately an hour and a half and cyclists will arrive back into Merrion Square just as the Irish Cycling Show is kicking off. Cyclists can leave their bikes in the dedicated bike park for Women on Wheels participants and enjoy the show.

Emer Mullins of Oxfam Ireland commented, “By registering to take part in this fun event, female cyclists will help raise vital funds to support Oxfam’s work worldwide which puts women’s rights at its heart. The cycle takes just an hour and half but could mean a lifetime of difference to families living in severe poverty.

“We know that breaking the cycle of poverty starts with supporting women. For example, if women farmers had the same access to land, tools, seeds and credit as men, they could grow enough food to feed more than 100 million of the world’s hungriest people.”

Heather Boyle from Cycling Ireland said: “The One4All Women on Wheels cycle with Oxfam is a great opportunity for women to get on their bikes. With only 16% of Cycling Ireland members being female, we need to get the wheels in motion on closing that gender gap. At 22km this is an ideal distance and a welcoming environment for everyone to get involved and cycle part of the Giro route.”

All participating cyclists will receive a Women on Wheels goody bag which will include a commemorative high vis vest. Every registered cyclist will also be in with a chance of winning a prize of €1,000 worth of One4all Gift Cards.

The One4all Women on Wheels Giro Cycle with Oxfam is open to female cyclists over the age of 18. Females aged 16 and 17 can take part, but must be accompanied by an adult over 18. Registration on the day takes place at 7.30am.